1DC: Canon 1Dx mkII sensor noise/DR

AndreeOnline

AndreeOnline

Veteran
Some 1Dx mkII user posted these .jpegs and subsequently took them down. They have been re-uploaded on Canonrumors.

Same lens and exposure with a 1Dx mkII vs a 1Dx. The exposure was set to -5EV, so underexposed by 5 stops and then pushed back up again in post.

dx2_vs_dx.jpg


Regardless if this is internal processing, raw sensor DR or a mixture of both (most likely), I'd say it's a pretty remarkable difference.

I also ask myself why Canon hasn't made bolder statements at launch if that is the case. Anyway... at least this points in a good direction, but I'll wait to draw conclusions until raw files are published.

Right click image and 'open in new tab' for actual size.
 
I saw these of DPReview. Yes, they are quite a step forward for Canon. It looks like they are letting the images spread a little on their own before they bring it up. A little leak strategy. Everybody will be wondering about the 5DMKIV with these images. Could be great for video or could be painful when they hobble it!
 
DLD said:
I thought the high ISO performance was quite trumpeted by both D5 and 1DX MKII.
Click to expand...

Perhaps. I don't see the 'noise' at all when I look at these pictures. Well, I see the reduced noise, but I'm thinking how it would translate to dynamic range—noise often being a DR killer.

Canon Log would probably perform really well on the Dx mkII.

I don't ever need more than ISO 6400 personally, so I categorically dismiss statements about the ridiculous numbers they sometimes quote.
 
Expanding shadow DR beyond a certain point is pointless, there's only so much photon in that area and usually gets crushed in grading.

For cinema purpose highlight DR is more important, ALEXA has 7.4 stops above neutral gray, while other cameras manage 6.2 stops max.
 
marvinhello said:
Expanding shadow DR beyond a certain point is pointless, there's only so much photon in that area and usually gets crushed in grading.

For cinema purpose highlight DR is more important, ALEXA has 7.4 stops above neutral gray, while other cameras manage 6.2 stops max.
Click to expand...

I don't know of such a thing as shadow DR. The dynamic range is a measurement of the total signal to noise ratio. Noise being the limiting factor on the low end and the full well capacity of the photo site on the high end.

In about two weeks production cameras will be released and we will get more complete information. What I'm saying is simply that the lower noise is a good indication that the sensor might in fact perform better in the DR department. I haven't seen Canon saying much about this.

Number of stops above 18% gray is a function of gamma/log curve and chosen ISO/EI. Alexa has 7.4 above at EI800, and even 9.4 stops above at EI3200. But only 5 stops above at EI160. If you have many stops above, you get fewer below and vice versa.

The DR is fixed, it just shifts around according to curve and exposure setup.
 
AndreeOnline said:
I don't know of such a thing as shadow DR. The dynamic range is a measurement of the total signal to noise ratio. Noise being the limiting factor on the low end and the full well capacity of the photo site on the high end.

In about two weeks production cameras will be released and we will get more complete information. What I'm saying is simply that the lower noise is a good indication that the sensor might in fact perform better in the DR department. I haven't seen Canon saying much about this.

Number of stops above 18% gray is a function of gamma/log curve and chosen ISO/EI. Alexa has 7.4 above at EI800, and even 9.4 stops above at EI3200. But only 5 stops above at EI160. If you have many stops above, you get fewer below and vice versa.

The DR is fixed, it just shifts around according to curve and exposure setup.
Click to expand...

Shadow DR is simply dynamic range below neutral gray, measured by SNR, usually the last 1-2 stops are buried deep in noise, Canon counted all those stops that's why they market C300 Mark II as 15 stops DR.

Alexa's dual gain architecture was designed to provide better highlight latitude, just like 35mm film, its dynamic range above neutral gray is superior than any other camera at a given EI.

For example, you said EI160 "only" has 5 stops, while C300 mark II only has 4.

Cleaner shadow is definitely good, but more highlight detail is real achievement in the DR department, just like what Sony sensor can do.
 
Is a comparision to the Alexa fair, as the latter only has 2.8K pixels on the same area as other cameras, with RED going up to 6K?
 
marvinhello said:
Shadow DR is simply dynamic range below neutral gray, measured by SNR, usually the last 1-2 stops are buried deep in noise, Canon counted all those stops that's why they market C300 Mark II as 15 stops DR.
Click to expand...

I didn't mean what I wrote to sound like a question. It's all the same DR and you can distribute the stops around middle grey to suit your shooting conditions.

I'm not sure how the Alexa or the C300 mkII entered this thread. I agree that the Alexa has great DR and that consensus right now is that it has most usable DR of the current generation of cameras. I'm not expecting the 1Dx mkII to have Alexa like DR.

I know that there are many connected persons inside and outside Canon who are trying to get them to implement Canon Log via firmware. I don't think we'll get Canon Log. It doesn't have to be the official Canon Log for me, but it would be nice if there was a picture profile that could make the most of the sensor.

Clean shadows and lot's of highlight detail are two sides of the same coin.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top